WBA "regular" junior welterweight world champion, Marcos "El Chino" Maidana, and Russian boxer Petr "Tsar" Petrov, went face to face for the first time at their final press conference. They clash this Friday at Villa Ballester in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photos by Ramon Cairo.

"After the fight with Robert Guerrero was called off, I kept training. I knew another fight would come around. We came to Argentina and I asked [adviser] Sebastian Contursi to get me an opponent," said Maidana (30-2, 27 KOs). "I was watching videos of Petrov. I think he's a good fighter. I'll press for the knockout but I won't be desperate to get it. I'm going out there to fight and win either by knockout or by decision. The people are going to be happy. "

"It's a great opportunity for me. When it was offered to me, I knew that I had to do it now. I feel great and happy," Petrov stated (29-2-2, 13 KOs). I was offered the chance to fight for the world title and I accepted. I have always followed Maidana and I've always liked him. He is a seasoned and aggressive fighter. I do not think of failures in the ring or worry about judges. I go out there and do my job. It would be foolish to tell you what I plan to do in the ring. I will rely on my boxing and dod what I do."